Cody Rhodes Hesitant to Face John Cena in Final WWE Match

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes expressed mixed feelings about potentially facing John Cena in the wrestling legend’s final year of in-ring competition. In a recent interview, Rhodes revealed his hesitation to step into the ring with Cena, citing deep respect and admiration for the 16-time world champion.

“One thing that’s been on my mind, I think when he announced he was retiring, is a lot of guys jumped to the line of, I want to wrestle John,” Rhodes said. “A lot of guys jumped to the, ‘I want to do something with John.’ I’m probably the one who didn’t hold his hand up, and that’s simply because John is everything to me.”

Rhodes, who has long credited Cena as a major influence on his career, explained that he has taken more inspiration from Cena than any other wrestler. “The most that I’ve taken from anybody ever would be from John,” he said. “That was from driving those few years of them seeing how he did his interactions with fans, how he would do main events, to see how he did the quarterback, the leader, all those things.”

Despite acknowledging Cena’s impending retirement, Rhodes admitted he struggles with the idea of being the one to potentially end Cena’s career. “I don’t love ‘this is it,’ and I know it is. I know he means it when he says it. But I want to watch like a fan,” Rhodes said. “I almost dread the idea of what that would look like. Because when you’re up against John now, you’re tasked to beat John Cena in his final run, and that’s why I’m not raising my hand to be in that spot.”

Speculation about a potential match between Rhodes and Cena has been swirling, with rumors suggesting it could take place at WWE WrestleMania 41. However, Rhodes’ comments indicate he may not be eager to take on the emotional weight of such a high-stakes encounter.

Cena, who has been a cornerstone of WWE for over two decades, announced his retirement plans earlier this year, signaling the end of an era for the wrestling world. Fans and fellow wrestlers alike have been vocal about wanting to see Cena in one last marquee match before he hangs up his boots.

Rhodes’ reluctance highlights the unique pressure of facing a legend in their final run. As the current Undisputed WWE Champion, Rhodes is no stranger to high-profile matches, but the prospect of ending Cena’s career adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation.

Whether or not the two will ultimately face off remains to be seen, but Rhodes’ candid remarks have sparked widespread discussion among wrestling fans. For now, the champion seems content to honor Cena’s legacy from the sidelines, rather than stepping into the ring for what could be one of the most emotionally charged matches in WWE history.